Over the years, DEAN Foundation's work has been recognised and we have been the recipients of many awards. We are greatly encouraged by these awards as it brings about more awareness regarding Palliative Care and will enable those in need to approach institutions like ours.

Since inception on 9 March 1998, DEAN Foundation has treated 19,221 patients (as on 31 October 2024) through 81,983 Outpatient and 74,098 Home Care Visits, of whom 15,134 have been Cancer patients. Over 50% were in the Geriatric category. In our Paediatric Palliaitve Care Project, we have treated a total of 3,770 children; 2,429 were suffering from Cancer and 1,341 of other illnesses. 

DEAN Foundation has many worthy activities to its credit. DEAN Foundation was instrumental in amending the Tamil Nadu Narcotics Drugs Rules, 1985, within six months, in December 2000, with the help the of State Government. This meant that Oral Morphine is now easily available to the doctors in Tamil Nadu for those Patients in pain. 

The Institution was the first in the State to become a Recognised Medical Institution in Tamil Nadu under this new amendment.  This was truly an achievement considering DEAN Foundation was only one and half years old at that time. 

Our Chairman, Deepa Muthaiya, represented Tamil Nadu in the Morphine Availability meet in Delhi, invited by the Ministry of Finance, where she presented a paper on the post ammendment scenario in the year 2001.

DEAN Foundation received a donation for purchase of an acre of Land in Karamadai, Coimbatore District.

Volunteers from overseas come to experience Hospice Care under Indian conditions. Visitors from overseas include CEOs from other Foundations, Doctors, Nurses and Students. 

Started the first Rural Outreach Palliative Project in a Government Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the District of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, on 29 December 2009. We are the first NGO to be offered space in the PHC by the Director of Public Health & Preventive Medicine for providing Hospice and Palliative Care services. 

We are the only NGO to present a case for the need for Hospice & Palliative Care Services in the Government Health Care System, at the first meeting on 22 February 2010, convened by the State Health & Family Welfare Department, for the creation of Palliative Care Policy for the State of Tamil Nadu.

Set up the first Paediatric Ward in a Government set-up, managed totally by DEAN Foundation, on 12 April 2010.

From 10 December 2010 onwards, a team from DEAN Foundation, travelled to all Government Medical College Teaching Hospitals throughout the State of Tamil Nadu, to set up designated Government Palliative Care Units incorporating standards of Care. 

On 16 May 2013 after evaluating the successful execution of Hospice and Palliative Care services of DEAN Foundation in Kancheepuram district, the Honourable Chief Minister - Ms. J. Jayalalitha announced in the State Assembly to set up Palliative care centers in all districts in the State of Tamil Nadu, with an allotment of Rs. 16.50 crores to implement the programme.

On 3 August 2013, Mrs. Deepa Muthaiya, was invited as the Chief Guest for the NSS Annual Day Programme at SRM University, Katankalathoor.

On 30 October 2013, DEAN Foundation conducted the first ever Continuing Medical Education (CME) on "Paediatric Palliative Care" at the Main Auditorium located within the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children. The doctors who attended the workshop were accredited with 5 points by "The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University". 105 Doctors participated in the workshop. 

Mr. Balasubramaniam, Mr. Manivannan, Mr. Praveen and Mr. Aravind, Chennai Marathon Runners, ran the "100 km & 50 km Ultra Blue Run", (a total of 250 km), in Nilgiris organised by Global Racers. They ran for DEAN Foundation and collected funds through pledges on 21 December 2013.

DEAN Foundation, Chairman, Mrs. Deepa Muthaiya was presented with the "Inspiring Change Women Achiever Award" on the occasion of Women's Day by M/s. Jupiter Events in association with the Grand Mall and Inno Geocity on 8 March 2014.

The highlight of the celebration of our 16th Anniversary on 9 March 2014, was the inauguration of the DEAN Foundation Charity Kiosk - Premium Retail space in South India's second largest mall, Express Avenue Mall - given free of charge by Express Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. 

April 2014 Silicon Valley Community Foundation, an International Grant-giving organization in US, approved DEAN Foundation to receive funds, enhancing our credibility.

Global Health City awarded DEAN Foundation the Certificate of Honour for Outstanding Service towards Cancer and Palliative Care at the 4th International Nursing Conference on 10 January 2015. 

Our Senior Nurse-in-charge, Menaka, was privileged to receive the Certificate of Appreciation for her "generous outstanding commitment, dedication and tireless Nursing Service towards caring for Palliative patients", at the above Conference. 

DEAN Foundation worked extensively to rescue and treat their own patients' families who were devastated by the Chennai flood in early December 2015. Relief work was carried out to over 400 families and 10 homes were renovated in Kanchipuram for patients affected by the floods, sponsored by CAMS Ltd.

On 18 February 2016, after going through rigorous due diligence process, DEAN Foundation was approved to be a credible implementing partner under the CSR Rule of the new Company's Act, by the IICA, an arm of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, New Delhi.

Dr. Muthiah's Virtues Trust and Dr. Visalakshi Muthiah Foundation for Special Children honoured DEAN Foundation for 'Outstanding Commitment to Dignify and Empower the Ailing and the Needy by delivering Hospice, Integrated Palliative Care & Geriatric Care and Rural Outreach', on 23 October 2016.

Mrs. Deepa Muthaiya was awarded 'One of the 50 most impactful Social Innovators' during the 6th edition of the World CSR Congress 2017 held at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, on 18 February 2017.

On International Women’s Day, Inner Wheel Club of Madras Esplanade awarded 'Women who made a difference', at a function called Abhinandhan. Mrs. Nalini Senapathi, our Medical Volunteer, was felicitated for her service to the community in the field of Palliative Care for 15 years, on 8 March 2017.

On 8 March 2018, the Institution of Company Secretaries of India, Southern India Regional Council, Chennai, honoured Mrs.Deepa Muthaiya on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Mrs. Deepa Muthaiya was awarded the Mother Teresa Women Leadership Awards by the Academic Research Conferences to appreciate and acknowledge 'Women entrepreneurs who passionately work for the upliftment of the society', on 6 April 2018.

Mrs.Anita John was honoured for her phenomenal commitment to Palliative Care by the Inner Wheel Club of Madras Central on International Women's Day 2021.

Mrs. Deepa Muthaiya and Mrs. Salitha Abraham were honoured for being 'Role Models in the Community' and for 'Outstanding Contribution to Society' by The Guidance Council, Chennai on 6 March 2022.

On 24 September 2022, Rotary Mettupalayam Prime, Karamadai, Coimbatore District, awarded the certificate of 'Outstanding NGO' to DEAN Foundation for its 'Exceptional Service in the field of Palliative Care to End-stage patients'.

Mrs. Deepa Muthaiya received the 'Outstanding Women Achiever’s Award 2023' in recognition of her exemplary services to the ailing and the needy in the society, from the Bhaktavatsalam Memorial Trust in a function held at the Baktavatsalam College for Women, on International Women’s Day 2023.

On 26 March 2023, Indian Medical Association, Coimbatore Branch, Women Doctors Wing presented Mrs. Deepa Muthaiya with a Certificate of Appreciation for her 'Excellent performance in the field of Social Service for providing Palliative Care', as Sadhanai Pennu 2023, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 202

Engagement with the Chennai City Corporation, in April 2023, has enabled the DEAN Medical Team to conduct training sessions for Urban Health Nurses into the medical speciality of Palliative Care at various Zonal Offices of the Corporation’s Health Centres.

DEAN Foundation received the Radiant Wellness Ambassador Award at its Conclave on 16 September 2023. The Award instituted by the Radiant Group recognises innovations in Technology, Health and Environment that contributes to overall well-being.

Recipient of the "For the Sake of Honour Award" of the Rotary Club of Madras West, the third oldest Rotary Club in the city of Chennai, in its 36^th year of service. This is the first Award being given to an Institution.

Deepa Muthaiya was conferred the Children's Hospice International's Elisabeth  Kübler-Ross Award for Outstanding Contribution on 16 September 2003 in Alexandria, Virginia, USA . http://www.chionline.org/org/events/awards.php

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Award for Outstanding Contribution 

Ms. Deepa Muthaiya, the Founder and Chairman of DEAN Foundation, is the first Indian to receive the Children's Hospice International Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Award for Outstanding Contribution.  The CHI Achievement Awards seek to recognize the tremendous achievements and unique contributions of those individuals in the field of Paediatric Hospice and Palliative Care around the world to children living with life-threatening conditions and their families. She was selected by the committee on the basis of her incredible efforts despite extremely challenging circumstances and struggles in India.   

The Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Award for Outstanding Contribution was presented to Deepa Muthaiya for her creation of the DEAN Foundation Hospice in Chennai, South India in March 1998. With no medical or nursing background, Mrs. Muthaiya brought together a team of doctors and volunteers to care for the dying. The Hospice had by then provided services and offered care for nearly 552 individuals, both adults and children. Deepa's Aunt, Sobha Chathampally, who lives in Rochester, accepted the award on her behalf at the luncheon, on 16 September 2003 at Radisson Hotel Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, U S A. The award is a Commemorative Crystal plate that says the name, the name of the award and the date received that can be displayed. 

The Founder's journey, from early childhood influences to the birthing of DEAN Foundation, is well delineated by N. Chandrasekaran, in an exclusive Chapter in his book "Incredible Champions", in 2014.

In 2003, the Founder, Ms. Deepa Muthaiya's work was highlighted in the Introduction to the Revised Edition of the book, "The Tibetan Book of the Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche, which had primarily been her source of inspiration.

On 17 July 2005, Dr. K.A. Nambudripad was presented with Dr. K.S. Sanjivi Award 2005 in deep appreciation of his exceptional contribution in Palliative care to terminally ill people.

Senior Staff Nurse, Ms. S. Devadatha, was honoured with the Vocational Service Award and a citation by the Rotary Club of Anna Nagar on 3 November 2005.

On 9 March 2006, which also happens to be the Eighth Anniversary of DEAN Foundation, the organisation was conferred the Community Welfare Award by the Sakhi Mandal Sahyog, presented by His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri. Surjit Singh Barnala at a function in the Durbar Hall at the Raj Bhavan, Chennai.  

Nature of Organization:  Registered, Charitable, Non-Profit, Medical Trust    

• Recognised Medical Institution in the State Government of Tamil Nadu, India and licensed to purchase, possess and dispense Morphine
• Exemption under Section 80G (5) (vi) of the Income Tax Act, 1961
• Registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, under Section (1) (a) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, India
• NDRC License No. 273/99-2000 for Possession and Dispensation of Morphine of the State of Tamil Nadu
• Member of the Indian Association of Palliative Care
• DEAN Foundation is a Gold certified nonprofit on the Give Discover platform https://give.do/discover/197M/dean-foundation/